21 October 2023 , 06:54
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Strictly Come Dancing star Amanda Abbington has broken her silence after it was announced that she would not be taking part in Saturday's live show.
The actress took to her Instagram Stories this morning to share a quote from late actor Robin Williams, originally posted by an account called @positiveminds011. Across an image of the Mrs Doubtfire star, the quote reads: "People don't fake depression... they fake being okay. Remember that. Be kind."
Strictly spin-off It Takes Two host Janette Manrara confirmed Amanda and her partner Giovanni Pernice's absence on Friday. She said: "We have some breaking news, unfortunately due to medical reasons, Amanda will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week. Amanda we hope you get well soon my love, sending you all the best wishes!"
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice won't be performing on Strictly this evening
The actress shared this post on her Instagram Stories this morning (instagram/ @amanda_abbington74)A representative for Strictly told The Mirror in a further statement: "Due to medical reasons Amanda Abbington will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend. Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week."
Strictly fans were concerned to learn that Amanda would be missing from the upcoming live show and took to social media to wish her a speedy recovery. One tweeted: "Well that made me sad no Amanda and Gio on #Strictly tomorrow. Disappointed was looking forward to their Cha Cha but most important thing is get well soon Amanda. You will be so missed."
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"Get better soon Amanda! Such a shame was looking forward to her Cha Cha this weekend. Sending her all the best. #Strictly #ItTakesTwo," another wrote. Someone else added: "Absolutely gutted, her and Giovanni are my faves so gonna be quite boring for me tomorrow."
Amanda's absence from the show this weekend follows the actress crediting Strictly with helping her "feel like a woman again" after previously admitting to feeling "invisible" throughout her 40s. The actress, who shares two children with ex-husband Martin Freeman, said taking to the BBC dancefloor has given her confidence a boost and made her feel sexy.
"I’m a woman of a certain age, so I’m hoping to inspire women my age to go out there and grab life with both hands," Amanda told her fans. "Because I think sometimes women my age kind of give up, and they just go, 'I’ll settle now. I’ll settle for this' and actually, no, you have the potential to go and do anything."
She add that if she can "get thrown around" the dancefloor by '"gorgeous" professional partner Giovanni, then "so can any other woman". "The sky’s the limit. I hope I inspire women to go and do something they wouldn’t normally do," Amanda concluded, before revealed she felt insecure before signing up for Strictly.
Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday with the results show airing on Sunday on BBC One.